Clayton gets some useful ring time before halting late substitute Munoz. The Canadian prospect won every round and rocked Munoz time and again with rights but the fighter from Albuquerque used his considerable experience to survive. In the ninth a huge right from Clayton put Munoz down and he was in no condition to continue. The 28-year-old from Nova Scotia, now based in Montreal, has won his last six fights by KO/TKO and this is the first time he has had to go past the fourth round for a win. He was a three-time Canadian amateur champion who competed at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games and at the 2012 Olympics where he beat Oscar Molina and Cameron Hammond before losing in the quarter-finals to Fred Evans. Clayton would have wanted this over earlier as he and his partner are awaiting the overdue birth of their third child. Munoz came in at just three days notice so did well to take Clayton further than any previous opponent.

Olubowale vs. Barrak

Olubowale wins a version of the Canadian title with spectacular kayo of Barrak. The big “Mount Kilimanjaro” had some trouble in the first with the smaller Barrak but he shook Barrak with a right early in the second. Barrak was clinching from the start of the third but Olubowale landed some more rights. Barrak tried to punch his way out of trouble and landed some wild swings but Olubowale shrugged them off and put Barrak down with a pulverising right which saw Barrak end up face down on the canvas out cold. The 45-year-old 6’7” (201cm) fighter was rebounding from losses to Eric Martel Bahoeli and Donovan Ruddock. This is the third time he has held a version of the Canadian titles and ideally now he should fight Dillon Carman who holds the more prestigious CNC title

Tatli retains European title with unanimous decision over Ballisai. Tatli did enough to edge the first two rounds but suffered a mild shock in the third. A right uppercut from Ballisai knocked Tatli back and it looks as though his right glove touched the canvas as he regained his balance but the referee did not recognise it as a knockdown. Ballisai took some encouragement and did enough to win the fourth round. At that point Tatli was 39-37 up on all four cards. As the fight progressed the heavier punching of Tatli gradually put him in control over the tough Italian and he continued to pick up the points and increased his lead slightly with the scores after eight rounds being 78-74 from all three judges. Ballisai need a strong finish but instead it was the champion who finished the fight strongly rocking Ballisai in the late rounds to be a clear winner. Scores 118-110 twice and 117-111. The 28-year-old Kosovon born-Finn was making the first defence of his European title. He lost a majority verdict to Richar Abril for the WBA title in 2014 but won the European title with unanimous decision over Yvon Mendy, who in December beat Brit Luke Campbell. He is rated IBF 11(9)/WBC 12 but despite taking Abril to a majority decision is not in the WBA top 15. Italian champion Ballisai. 31, has previously lost inside the distance to Felix Lora and Brunet Zamora but had won his last four fights including victories in two Italian title fights.

Rasanen vs. Royer

Finnish southpaw Rasanen eases back with stoppage of Frenchman Royer. After both scored with some good punches in the first Rasanen took over in the second. He increased the pace of his work and scored with some choice uppercuts before putting Royer down. with yet another uppercut. The Frenchman got up but was put down again and the referee stopped the fight over protest from the French corner but there was only going to be one winner. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for the 29-year-old former Finnish amateur champion who was returning to action after an injury. Second loss by KO/TKO for former French title challenger Royer.

Hart wins but only just as Johnson again proves records meaningless. The taller Hart was able to use his reach and speed to work on the outside and was comfortable over the first three rounds. However he was not halting Johnson’s forward march although Johnson was wild with his punches he remained dangerous. The styles did not gel too well and the fight was messy in the fourth which suited Johnson who was looking to bring Hart down to his level. Despite this even when fighting inside Hart was winning but with Johnson absorbing Hart’s punches by the end of the fifth it looked as though Hart would have to settle for a routine but unexciting points win. That changed drastically at the end of the sixth when Johnson backed Hart into a corner and landed two heavy rights and then another as Hart started to slide down the ropes. The bell went before Hart actually hit the canvas so it could not be counted as a knockdown but Hart had been badly shaken. Over the seventh and eighth Johnson tried hard to capitalise on that success but in a typical “Philadelphian” response Hart took Johnson on and outfought him on the inside and it was Johnson who was reeling by the end of the eighth. After a quiet ninth as both conserved their energy Hart was blasting away at Johnson in the tenth. Again he looked to have hurt Johnson but a big right from Johnson sent Hart back and down and the bell went just as Hart managed to get up. A dramatic end but Hart a clear winner. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 95-94. First real scare as a pro for the 26-year-old local fighter but he remains unbeaten. “Fly Boy” Johnson, 28, shows just how unpredictable he is. He beat both Adam Trupish and Craig McEwan when they were “names”, had Dominic Wade on the floor and had won his last four fights including wins over Make Gavronski (20-1-1) and Izaak Cardona.

Reed vs. Amoako

Reed gets win over defence minded Ghanaian. Facing a late replacement and a determined survivor Reed found it easy to win but hard to stir any excitement. Amoako was never a threat as southpaw Reed boxed and battered at the Ghanaian winning every round. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. The 23-year-old accounting student from Maryland, a former NGG and US champion is ready for better opposition. Amoako, 31, a former CBC title challenger falls to five losses in a row.

Simion wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title in hard won scrap against Miskirtchian. Both fighters were of similar style both aggressive hard punchers with a good smattering of skill thrown in. As a result many rounds were very close but the superior strength and higher work rate of Simion gave him the edge with Miskirtchian being deducted a point for repeating some fouls but they staged an exciting competitive fights. Scores 120-107, 118-109 and 117-110. Simion a clear winner but the scores do not reflect the efforts of Miskirtchian. The 34-year-old Romanian former Olympian Simion is looking to land a title shot after losing to Lee Selby for the WBC International title in 2013. He is the official challenger for the European title. Georgian-born Belgium-based Miskirtchian lost on points to Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF title despite having Gradovich on the floor.

Dinu vs. Goles

Too easy for Dinu as one right to the body finishes the fight. After forcing Goles into a corner Dinu threw a straight right that landed dead centre in the stomach of Goles. At first the Croatian looked ready to continue but then slid down grabbing the ropes to stop himself going all of the way. He pulled himself up as the referee was counting and was suffering and short of breath and could not continue. It was some time before he could breath with comfort and probably had a broken rib. The 29-year-old Dinu, 6’5” (196cm) has now won 9 of his last 10 fight by KO/TKO. As a junior he was World Cadet Champion and a World Junior bronze medal winner as well as being Romanian champion. Second loss in one round in a row for Goles as he was halted in just 45 seconds by Arnold Gjergjaj in December.

Hammer vs. Sprott

Hammer halts veteran Sprott. The Romanian was coming forward walking Sprott down. The English fighter was prodding out jabs but with no power and looked to be wobbly whenever Hammer landed. Two rights forced Sprott to the ropes and then Hammer landed a double left hook to head and body. A following straight right only seemed to cuff Sprott on the side of the head but there must have been some power in it as he went down flat on the canvas half out under the ropes and the fight was stopped after 100 seconds. Sprott was down receiving attention for some time. Romanian Hammer, real name Cristian Ciocan, makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. He retired after eight rounds in a fight against Tyson Fury in February last year but returned with a win in August when he decisioned Sherman Williams. Sprott, 41, has lost his last four fights, all by KO/TKO and three in the first round. The other three losses have been in hard matches against Anthony Joshua, Carlos Takam and Adrian Granat.

Granat vs. Kurtagic

Hard puncher Granat has to go into the sixth round for the win. For a change Granat was up against a fighter almost as tall as his own 6’7 ½” (202cm) but the big Swede had youth on his side. He led from the start gradually breaking the Serbian fighter down. In the sixth a right sent Kurtagic staggering back to the ropes and a right uppercut had him ready to go over when his corner threw in the towel to save their man. The 24-year-old Swede, the EBU No 16, has 11 wins by KO/TKO including 7 in a row. Austrian-based Kurtagic, 39 and 6’7” (201cm), has now lost 6 of his last 7 fights but this is the first time he has lost by KO/TKO.

Theroux vs. Vajda

Canadian prospect Theroux makes it four wins in a row as he halts Hungarian Vajda in two rounds. The 22-year-old from Quebec was having his first pro fight outside Canada. Now 7 losses in a row for Vajda.

Vicenza, Italy: Super Bantam: Vittorio Parrinello (7-0) W PTS 10 Luca Rigoldi (9-1-1). Parrinello uses his extra experience, speed and skill to retain his title against the aggressive Rigoldi. Parrinello won by keeping this fight on the outside where his longer reach and superior hand speed gave him a big edge. Southpaw Rigoldi forced the fight and pressed and pressed trying to catch Parrinello on the ropes but with a solid defence and plenty of clever upper body movement Parrinello continually escaped and piled up the points with his jab. The challenger had a good spell in the fifth and sixth but long rights from Parrinello opened a gash on Rigoldi’s cheek. The sheer aggression of Rigoldi made him competitive but despite the closeness of the scores Parrinello was a clear winner. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Parrinello. The 31-year-old Italian champion was a perennial member of the Italian amateur squad and did not turn pro until he was 30. As an amateur he was Italian champion four times, competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, the 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 World Championships and won silver and bronze medals at the World Military Championships. It is a pity he did not turn pro earlier. Hometown fighter Rigoldi, 23, was taking a big step up and is young enough to come back.

Kogawa outpoints Kuroda in defence of his Japanese title. Kogawa established a lead early launching fierce attacks being quicker and more accurate and confusing Kuroda with his constant movement. It was the third before Kuroda was able to get into the fight when he scored with some good left hooks. Kogawa rebounded from that to take the fourth and fifth. After five rounds the scores were 49-46 twice and 48-47 all for Kogawa. Over the second half of the fight Kogawa used straight rights, left hooks a bursts of combination punches to control the action. Kuroda kept plugging away but over the last round he was under pressure as Kogawa tried for a stoppage. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 all for Kogawa. Second successful defence in his second reign as champion for 30-year-old Kogawa. He was unsuccessful in challenges for both the WBC title and the WBA interim title. He is rated IBF 11(10)/WBA 14 so a long way from another title shot. Kuroda, 29, lost to Juan Carlos Reveco for the secondary WBA title and this was his second shot at winning the national title.

Masuda vs. Tanaka

Masuda wins the vacant Japanese title with stoppage of previously unbeaten Tanaka. Masuda took charge of the fight from the first. He was out-jabbing Tanaka and scoring with rights and hooks to the body of the former WBC Youth champion. After five rounds Masuda’s dominance was clear as the judges all had him in front 50-45 twice and 50-46. Masuda finally ended it with a fierce attack in the eighth which saw the referee stop the fight. Masuda, 33, regains the title he held in 2014/15 and makes it 10 wins in his last 11 fights and 13 wins by KO/TKO. Tanaka, 24, a former novice champion, was JBC No 2.

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Bantam: Alejandro Hernandez (31-11-2) W PTS 10 Isao Gonzalo Carranza (15-7-1). “Little Clown” Hernandez wins the vacant Mexican title with wide unanimous decision over former victim Carranza. Both fighters went out in the first determined to boss the fight and they were swapping hard punches. Hernandez had slightly the better of that hectic start but there was no question about his dominance in the third as he had Carranza on wobbly legs. Carranza survived only to be in trouble again in the fifth. Hernandez’s pressure eased over the last two rounds as Carranza staged a strong finish but Hernandez already had the fight won. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-93 all for Hernandez. The 29-year-old former interim WBO bantam champion had outpointed Carranza for the vacant Mexican bantam title in 2014 but vacated it before beating Daniel Rosa for the interim WBO title and then losing to Tomoki Kameda for the full WBO title. He won the Mexican super bantam title in August last year but again vacated it. Carranza is 2-4-1 in his last 7 fights.

Ortiz gets win but with a confused ending. The Mexican was coming forward in the first as they swapped hard left hooks. Late in the round the Colombian drove Ortiz back with double left hooks only for Ortiz to fire back and finish strongly. Both started quickly in the second exchanging hard hooks and again the superior firepower from Ortiz had Salgado driven along the ropes. In the third the pressure began to tell and Salgado was stuck on the ropes and was being outpunched and beginning to fade. Ortiz then landed a right which sent Salgado staggering back across the ring as the round ended. Ortiz was walking Salgado from to corner in the fourth. After a warning for a low punch Salgado sinned again and Ortiz was given a time out to recover. The end came when a chopping right from Ortiz had Salgado wobbling badly. Ortiz landed another short uppercut as Salgado lurched forward grabbing Ortiz around his waist. As Ortiz backed up Salgado’s slumped to his knees. Initially the referee thought it was a slip and stood over Salgado indicating he should get up but the Colombian ignored the referee. At that point the referee just waived the fight over at which point Salgado got up quickly protesting the stoppage. The 30-year-old “Massa” was unbeaten in his first 32 fights until he was crushed in two rounds by Lucas Matthysse in September 2014 for the WBC Silver title. Third win since then for Ortiz. Salgado 31 is 2-4 in his last six fights.

Perez vs. Fuentes

Local fighter Perez gets win as he outpoints Colombian Fuentes. The Mexican’s WBC Silver title was not at stake. Perez has won 6 of his last 7 fights with the loss being over eight close rounds against the new WBA champion Byron Rojas in 2014. His WBC Silver title gets him a No 4 rating from the WBC even though he has never beaten a fighter of note. Fuentes lost on a first round kayo when he challenged John Riel Casimero for the IBF title in 2014.

Manzanarez vs. Jacobo

Manzanarez floors Jacobo twice in the second round to register yet another inside the distance win. Still only 21, he turned pro at 15, Phoenix-born Manzanarez has 27 wins by KO/TKO. His loss was an inside the distance defeat against Alejandro Barrera in 2012 and he has won 12 on the bounce since then, ten of them by KO/TKO including a stoppage of Barrera. Now 7 losses in a row for Jacobo, six by KO/TKO.

Runowski gets unanimous decision as he starts and finishes strongly with Sandon competitive over the middle rounds. Some good body punching in the first and strong right crosses in the second were enough to give Runowski the edge. Sandon had the local fighter on the back foot in the third and for much of the fourth. Runowski came back and did enough to make the fifth close and then took the sixth and seventh and held off a big effort from Sandon in the last. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 78-75 all for “Reaper” Runowski. The 21-year-old Pole is making steady progress but is by no means a puncher with just 2 wins by KO/TKO. Sandon, the DCR-born nephew of former WBA and European middleweight champion Sumbu Kalambay, had a long period of inactivity after suffering serious burns in what was reported to be a suicide attempt in 2011. He returned to the ring in 2013 and had won six fights.

Gargula vs. Soldra

Gargula gets split decision over Soldra in a mild upset. This one started slowly and then descended into a messy, untidy fight with the styles not mixing well and little clear scoring from either fighter making it very difficult for the judges to award any points. Somehow they managed to do their job with scores of 77-75 twice for Gargula and 77-76 for Soldra. A poor fight. Gargula, 41, turned pro in 2000 but was inactive from 2004 until returning to the ring in June last year. After a couple of wins he was stopped in four rounds by Maciel Miszkin in September and this is his first fight since then. Soldra, 30, is now 3-3 in his last 6 fights.

Sosnowski vs. Csomor

“Dragon” Sosnowski brushes aside Csomor in his last fight. The big Pole was landing heavy rights in the first round and only the bell saved the Hungarian. In the second Csomor was trying to come forward throwing wild punches but a left jab straight right put him back on his heels. He regrouped and was swinging again when Sosnowski staggered him with a succession of head punches. Although soaking up tremendous punishment Csomor just kept swing from the hips with no defence and no accuracy until a straight right put him down in a heap against the ropes. Somehow he managed to get up and was allowed to continue. He was still very shaky and walked into a storm of jabs, straight rights and uppercuts. Despite being rocked again and again and hardly able to lift his hands he kept punching until a series of right saw him half turn away and a combination put him down. He made it to his feet but after completing the eight count the referee stopped the fight. The 37-year-old British-based Sosnowski lost only one of his first 44 fights. He won the vacant European title in 2009 but was knocked out in ten rounds by Vitally Klitschko in a challenge for the WBC title in 2010. After the Klitschko loss he became less active and was 4-5-1 in his last 10 fights. He announced his retirement. Ninth loss by KO/TKO for Csomor who was also halted in two rounds by Dereck Chisora in January. If he has a much ability as he has guts he would be a useful fighter.

Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina: Super Welter: Hector Saldivia (45-3) W TKO 4 Jose Carlos Paz (19-5-1). Saldivia overpowers Paz for another inside the distance win and lifts the national title. The local hero used his usual all-out attack firing from both hands. Paz tried to do what he could to block or smother the attacks from Saldivia but was constantly under fire. In the fourth Saldivia was unloading on Paz who was stuck with his back against the ropes. Paz lowered his left to launch a punch of his own and Saldivia crashed home a right to the unprotected chin which sent Paz sliding sideways to the canvas and the fight was stopped. The 32-year-old “El Tigre” a former Argentinian welter champion, gets win No 35 by KO/TKO. He has lost only one of his last 12 fights and that was a third round stoppage against Kell Brook in an IBF eliminator in 2012. PAZ, 25, the FAB No 3 gets only his second loss by KO/TKO.

Filipino “Czar of Bohol” Amonsot marches on with stoppage of poor level Indonesian. The 30-year-old Australian-based fighter is now 13-0-2 in his last 15 fights and has 19 wins by KO/TKO. His last loss was on a decision against Mike Katsidis for the interim WBO light title in 2007. Geisler, the holder of a version of the Indonesian title, has 7 losses by KO/TKO but his record is incomplete.

Balla vs. Micallef

Balla blows away overmatched Micallef. The unbeaten Olympian wins the vacant Australian title. He is already super bantam champion but not sure if he will have to relinquish that. The 25-year-old represented Australia at the Olympics, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Micallef was having his second shot at the vacant title in consecutive fights.

Watts vs. Tuimanono

Watts makes it eight wins in a row as he halts Tuimanono in a non-title fight. The 33-year-old Australian champion has 10 wins by KO/TKO. First fight for Fijian Tuimanono since September 2011.

Sarukhanyan wins the full WBC EPBC title with points victory over Filipino Chavez. The Armenian-born Russian had a big edge in skill built around a quick stiff jab. Chavez could not find a way past the jab often enough to get into the fight and he also had to overcome the deficit of a flash knockdown in the first round. Sarukhanyan continued to outscore the Filipino but after the half way mark with Chavez continuing to come forward Sarukhanyan took a more cautious approach and closed the fight down easing his way to victory. Scores 100-89 twice and 99-91. The 25-year-old Sarukhanyan, who was the interim WBC EPBC champion, now has five wins in a row. Chavez, the defending champion, is No 7 super light with the GAB.

Shakhnazaryan vs. Bogere

Quick win for Shakhnazaryan. “The Humanoid” shook Bogere a couple of times before ending the fight with a chilling left hook that put Bogere down and out. The 22-year-old Armenian-born Russian-based Shakhnazaryan won his first 15 fights before suffering consecutive losses against Abner Lopez and Eduard Troyanovsky last year. He has now won two in a row, both against Ugandan opposition. Bogere, 35, a former WBC ABU champion, has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Sargsyan vs. Mulindwa

Sargsyan makes it a bad night for Ugandan’s as he breaks down a game Mulindwa and stops him in two rounds. Now 5 on the bounce for southpaw Sargsyan another Armenian-born Russian-based fighter. Ugandan welter champion Mulindwa gets his first loss by KO/TKO.

Maslov vs. Aduashvili

Russian Maslov puts Aduashvili down twice for quick win. Maslov put the Georgian down for the first time inside a minute and the second knockdown ended the fight after just 90 seconds. Seven wins in a row for the 31-year-old Maslov and his tenth win by KO/TKO. Fifth loss inside the distance for Aduashvili.

Nawaphon extends his unbeaten record with stoppage of Filipino Mansalayao. Over the first three rounds Nawaphon made a steady start just walking forward whilst the smaller Filipino jumped in with quick attacks. Mansalayao’s punches lacked power. Nawaphon was throwing less but sitting down on his punches and in the closing seconds of the third he was throwing heavy rights. In the opening seconds of the fourth Nawaphon landed a double left, a hook to the body and a thump to the side of the head and Mansalayao went down on his back and never looked like beating the count. The 24-year-old Thai was making the 17th defence of his WBA ABC title and gets his tenth win in a row by KO/TKO. Impressive as long as you don’t look too closely at the quality of his victims. He is WBC No 1 but Roman Gonzalez would be on another planet compared to Nawaphon’s opposition. Mansalayao typifies this as he is now 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

Kongfah vs. Yodsing

In the first Yodsing made a fast start throwing lots of short arm punches which Kongfah either ducked under or ignored. Late in the round Kongfah landed a right cross which saw Yodsing go down roll over and get straight up all in one movement. Kongfah continued to press and a straight left put Yodsing down in a heap by the ropes-and he leapt up immediately again and the referee had to grab him to stand still for the mandatory count as he was starting across the ring to continue the fight. The bell went at the end of the count. Kongfah scored three more knockdowns in the second round, one of which the referee wrongly called a slip, and the fight was mercifully over. Southpaw Kongfah lost in July to a guy with a 2-3-1 record so to avoid any repeat of that his three victims since then have each had no traceable record-and fought like it.

Samut Prakan, Thailand: Feather: Thong (17-0) W KO 7 Marten Kisamlu.

Thong retains his PABA title with stoppage of Indonesian. Kisamlu tried hard but Thong was just too strong and punched too hard. Kisamlu was down in the third and floored with a body punch in the seventh with the fight being stopped. Seventh defence of his PABA title for the 23-year-old WBA No 12. Kisamlu way out of his depth but his record incomplete.

Nicaraguan Rojas wins the WBA title with points win over South African Budler. All of the judges came up with the same score and most observers saw it the same way. Rojas came in with a low profile but now has a claim to be the best fighter in the division an honour previously held by Budler. Although the fight was close over the early rounds the Central American impressed with his clever boxing and sharp punching as a lethargic Budler had difficulty sustaining his usual aggressive attacks. Rojas was usually quicker in getting his punches off and constantly shifting his angle of attack and using a busy style to disrupt Budler’s own attacks. Having said that despite a cut suffered in a rocky second round and a couple of examinations by the ringside doctor Budler was doing enough to stay in the fight until Rojas began to pull away over the middle round. Although Rojas had built a lead it was not a lost cause as Budler is strong and usually stages a fighting finish. This time he seemed to be lethargic and as Rojas had a big tenth round that effectively shut the door and Budler was not able to close the points gap. Scores 115-113 from all three judges so one round scored differently by each judge would have saved Budler’s title. It is unusual for all three judges come up with exactly the same score but also for the loser, the loser’s team and his supporters to have no problem with the result. It is a clear pointer to the decision being the right one but also that Budler performed below expectations and disappointed his followers. “Gallito” Rojas, 25, the Nicaraguan champion is now unbeaten in his last 12 fights. His team refused the sanction fee payment to the IBO so he does not win that title. Budler, 27, had no explanation or excuse for his below par performance and said he had no problem making the weight. Despite this he has said he will now consider moving up to light fly where he can again be a force.

Kamanga vs. Belaev

Kamanga remains unbeaten but not one of his best performances as Belaev gives him a tough night. On skill alone this would have been a sure-fire win for Kamanga, but Belaev knew that and set out to hustle Kamanga out of his stride. It developed into a boxer/ fighter match with that skill giving Kamanga the edge over the slower but determined Belaev who made him fight hard all the way. It was never a pretty fight with too much clinching. Belaev said he suffered from fighting at altitude but Kamanga is strong with good stamina and stood up to the Russian’s pressure. Scores 116-111 twice and a ridiculous 119-108 all for the deserving winner Kamanga but the last a totally unfair representation of the effort put in by Belaev. The 22-year-old DCR-born Kamanga will have better nights but will also look back on this fight as important part of his boxing education. He has good wins over Kaizer Mabuza, Jason Bedeman and Roman Zhailauov and is currently No 15 with the WBA. He wins the vacant WBA Pan African title so will climb the up the table towards a title fight in 2017. German-based Russian “Lion” Belaev, 25, had a good win over Dean Byrne in 2014 but lost a close technical decision to Ali Funeka for the vacant IBO title in November that year. He was inactive in 2015 but returned with a win in January and has the power and strength to trouble most fighters.

Joubert vs. Fourie

Joubert evens up the score in his fights with Fourie and wins back his national title and collects the interim WBA Pan African title. Having fought each other before and knowing each other’s style this could have been a chess match but instead it served up an exciting contest. The best fight of the night. They both fought hard and honestly for round after round with Joubert just doing enough to build and hold a lead but with Fourie never out of the picture as first one and then the other had spells of dominance. It was a case of two domestic level fighters putting on a higher level excitement contest and it was a pity there had to be a loser. Scores 115-113, 117-112 and 117-111 all for Joubert who regains the national title he lost to Fourie in a stirring fight in July but this fight was much closer than those scores. The Johannesburg “Warrior” was unbeaten in his first 18 fights but then lost in a challenged for the national super feather title in 2010 which was the first fight in a sequence that went 3-3-3 and ended with a first round kayo loss in a WBC ABU title fight in 2012. He has rebuilt since then with 5 wins in his last 6 fights. Fourie had followed a similar path being unbeaten in his first 11 fights and then going 5-7 before that career best win over Joubert. Promoter Rodney Berman threw a further R5000 to their purses in appreciation of the great entertainment provided.

Nielsen has to fight hard for his win but gets the deserved decision. Nielsen did most of the scoring in the opening two rounds with Larghetti trying to get on the front foot and the Dane probing with his right jab and firing fast combinations making Larghetti look slow with the Italian already showing a bruising under his left eye. In the fourth and fifth Nielsen was drawing Larghetti’s jab and then scoring with a quick right jab and straight left with Larghetti not letting his punches go. Larghetti finally got into the fight in the sixth. Nielsen was still quicker but Larghetti was coming in behind his jab and letting punches fly and a left to the head seemed to stagger the Dane. Larghetti got throught with another right and Nielsen looking to hold and getting a warning for careless head work. By the seventh Nielsen was no longer boxing and using his jab but brawling and although both scored with some heavy punches this was letting Larghetti get a foothold in the fight. A lot of the work was untidy and Nielsen was again using his head dangerously. Both seemed tired in the eighth with lots of clinches and Nielsen getting another warning about his head. The Dane actually looked the more tired of the two. Gradually Larghetti was clawing back some of Nielsen’s early lead despite the growing lump under his left eye and more careless head work from Nielsen but the Dane found some reserves of strength. In the eleventh he went back to his boxing. Moving on the back foot firing out the right jab and quick counters as Larghetti tried to get inside and winning the round clearly. Nielsen was doing enough to win the last when with just over a minute left there was a break for some loose tape to be fixed on Larghetti’s wrapping and with just over 50 seconds left the fight resumed. That proved near disaster for Nielsen. Larghetti landed a looping left that jerked Nielsen’s head and body back and he staggered badly shaken. Larghetti drove the Dane to the ropes and as Nielsen floundered the Italian landed some more head punches. Nielsen just pumped out his arms to try to halt the storm only for Larghetti to land a couple more head punches until Nielsen desperately clinched. Larghetti drove Nielsen to the ropes and landed a couple more head shots but the Italian’s chanced passed as the referee spotted some more loose wrapping and halted the action and took Larghetti back to his corner to have it fixed. By the time that was sorted the round was as good as over and Nielsen survived the crisis. Scores 116-112 twice and 117-112 all for Nielsen. The 23-year-old Dane retains his WBC International title and was a clear winner. He showed his strengths and weaknesses but to be fair it was revealed later that he had suffered a break to his left hand in the sixth round and that had to affect his performance. The near disaster in the last round came from one of those punches from a blind spot which are the most dangerous. This was the first time he had gone past the tenth round and was up against a strong challenger so gained some good experience. He is rated IBF 5(3)/WBO 12 but due to the absence of top level victims he is No12 with the EBU. Former undefeated EU champion Larghetti, 33, performed creditably in losing a unanimous decision to Marco Huck for the WBO title in 2014 and had scored three low level wins since then.

Kassem vs. Finiello

Kassem overcomes a tentative start to outbox tough Italian. Despite controlling the fight and doing most of the scoring Kassem found Finiello a difficult opponent to nail with any hard punches. Kassem sometimes gets overconfident and lets his hands drop relying on excellent reflexes and that allowed Finiello to play some part late in the fight but he was never going to be quick enough to get the kayo he needed and Kassem won the unanimous decision. Scores 78-72 twice and 79-73. The 24-year-old Danish “Dream” has plenty of talent and is worth watching. After being unbeaten in his first 12 fights Finiello lost twice last year in Italian title fights but one was a creditable split decision defeat against Massimiliano Ballisai.

Khattab vs. Koros

Khattab overcomes strong resistance from Koros for late win. The local fighter had the better of some fierce exchanges as Koros had come to fight and was willing to stand and trade. The Dane had to weather a stormy third when a punch from Koros had him dipping at the knees but Khattab recovered and then proceeded to grind away at Koros who proved tougher than expected. Finally in the seventh a series of hard punches saw Koros slump to his knees and he had nothing left and was counted out. Palestinian-born Khattab is working his way back after a disappointing stoppage loss against 11-4-1 Howard Cospolite in May and gets his third win. Hungarian Koros, 21, will have been displeased at being stopped as the suspension will interrupt his busy schedule which saw him fight eleven times in 2015

Commey vs. Gamgebeli

Commey destroys poor Georgian inside two rounds. Commey put Gamgebeli down with a right in the first. It was over in the second when Commey put the Georgian down with another right and a third knockdown saw the fight stopped. The 29-year-old former CBC champion from Ghana has won his last 5 fights by KO/TKO. He is No 3 with the IBF and is their highest rated fighter in the lightweights but can’t move into the vacant No 1or 2 slot because he has yet to beat a rated fighter so can’t become the mandatory challenger. Eight losses by KO/TKO for Gamgebeli

“Baby Bull” Diaz returns with a win. It was the same old Diaz, pressure, pressure forcing Garcia into constant exchanges . They fought inside with Diaz getting the better of the exchanges but with Garcia standing up well to the punishment and firing back. Gradually Diaz’s punches were having their effect with Garcia showing swellings around both eye and his work rate dropping although Diaz was also having to eat some punches. The body punches from Diaz and the relentless pressure was slowly eroding Garcia’s will to resist and after Garcia took a one-sided beating in the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds he had little left. In the ninth a series of punches from Diaz finally saw Garcia slump to the canvas. He made it to his feet but Diaz was not about to let him off the hook and with Garcia trapped on the ropes and Diaz unloading the referee stepped in to rescue the game Mexican. First fight for Diaz since September 2014 but he showed no rust. The relentless attacking style is still there from the 32-year-old former IBF/WBA/WBO light champion but so is his leaky defence. He can certainly figure in some good fights in a strong division but whether he still has enough to succeed at the highest level is questionable. Garcia had been inactive for a similar period and was having his first fight since being halted in five rounds by Sharif Bogere in October 2014.

Alvarado vs. Corral

Alvarado batters Corral to defeat. Corral had height and reach on his side but Alvarado had punch power and that dictated the pattern of the fight. Alvarado kept walking forward behind a high guard to get inside and score with uppercuts and hooks to the body. Corral was almost always on the retreat but was able to pierce Alvarado’s guard and finished the first round a flurry of punches many of which got through but none of which hurt Alvarado. Corral was scoring with his jab again at the start of the second with Alvarado’s face already red from the punishment. Alvarado was able to land some hard punches to the body and a strong right uppercut but with Corral again throwing lots of punches late in the round. Corral was being backed around the ring in the third when a pair of left hooks saw him momentarily crease with pain. Alvarado saw the sign and landed an overhand right that made Corral stagger into a corner. Corral tried to escape but another right put him back in the corner and a chopping right had him slumping to the floor with the referee jumping and stopping the fight. A win but we saw nothing new from Alvarado in his first fight for 15 months and at 35 he is very much the fighter he was but just a bit older. Mexican Corral gets his second loss by KO/TKO. He showed some nice skills but did not have the power to match Alvarado.

Falcao vs. McCreedy

Brazilian Falcao gets another inside the distance win as he halts “Irish Joey” McCreedy in five round. The 26-year-old southpaw won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and also won a bronze at the World Championships. He beat Brit Anthony Ogogo in both of those competitions and lost to Ryota Murata in both. Third loss in a row for McCreedy.

Mexico City, Mexico: Minimum: Saul Juarez (23-4-1) W PTS 10 Oswaldo Novoa (14-7-3). “Baby” Juarez wins WBC eliminator with wide decision over former champion Novoa. It was a frustrating night for Novoa who pressed and pressed but the slick boxing of Juarez outsmarted him time and again. Juarez piled up the points with hard accurate counters whilst slipping most of Novoa’s shots. Juarez already had a safe lead when a clash of heads in the ninth saw Novoa cut on his left eyebrow and the referee deducting a point from Juarez. Novoa was trying desperately for a knockout in the last with Juarez avoiding trading but as the round and the fight drew to a close Juarez and Novoa stood fighting toe-to-toe to the bell. Scores 99-91, 98-91 and 97-92 all for Juarez. Juarez is now 2-0-1 in three fights with Novoa. He lost on points against Filipino Milan Melindo in an IBF light fly title eliminator in 2014 but re-established himself with two wins over Alejandro Hernandez. He is WBC No 1 and in line for a shot at champion Wanheng. Former WBC champion Novoa, the WBC No 5, lost his title to Wanheng in 2014 and is now 0-2-2 in his last 4 fights.

Moloney almost doubles his pro experience with ten round victory over Takahashi. The young Australian prospect had his jab working in the first and used it as his main weapon to control the rest of the fight finding it easy to penetrate the poor defence of Takahashi and set the Japanese fighter up for a selection of hooks from both hands. Takahashi had plenty of aggression but very little success as Maloney had no problems going past the sixth round for the first time. Scores 100-90, 100-91 and 98-92. The 25-year-old Australian champion wins the vacant WBO Oceania title. Takahashi had won 8 in a row but was moving up to ten rounds for the first time.

Moloney vs. Bajaw

Twin brother Jason makes it a good night for the Moloney family as he halts Indonesian Bajaw to retain the WBC Oceania title. A wet canvas gave both fighters trouble but Moloney just punched too hard for the very modest Indonesian. Bajaw tried boxing in bare feet in the fourth round but that obviously did not work as a series of hard punches from both hands had the referee stopping the fight and declaring Moloney the winner. Jason seems to be the puncher in the family as he has won all of his fights by KO/TKO and has yet to have to go past the fifth round for a victory. Both brothers were Australian amateur champion with Jason getting to the quarter-finals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and Andrew Winning a gold medal at the 2014 Games. Six losses in a row for Bajaw but his record is almost certainly incomplete.

Filipino Alvarez overcomes a slow start to batter the local fighter to defeat. Gonzalez fought like the favourite he was at the start. He was quicker and more accurate in the first two rounds with a punch opening a cut over Alvarez’s right eye. Gonzalez was also scoring well at the start of the third but by then Alvarez was firing back hard and Gonzalez was shaky and given a standing count. Gonzalez hit back to take the fourth. They went to war again in the fifth but it began to look as though Alvarez had the edge in power. Both are southpaws and in the sixth neither was paying any attention to defence with Gonzalez firing lefts as he tried to drive Alvarez onto the back foot. As they were trading Alvarez landed a right uppercut and a left hook that stiffened Gonzalez’s legs. A right also shook Gonzalez who was wobbling but trying to fight back only to be caught with hooks and uppercuts inside. Suddenly a series of straight lefts sent Gonzalez stumbling back across the ring and down heavily on his back. He made it to his knees but the referee abandoned the count and stopped the fight. “Little Pacman” Alvarez, 26, wins the vacant WBO NABO title and makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO. His slow start could be down to this being the first fight since he lost on points to WBA/WBO champion Juan Francisco Estrada in a non-title fight in December 2014. “Bomba” Gonzalez, 24, had been knocked out in four rounds by Giovani Segura in 2013 but had done some rebuilding going 5-0-1 in six fights.

Rojas vs. Evans

Rojas outslugs Evans in short but brutal action. Rojas lost his chance to win the vacant WBA NABA title as he came in overweight. Evans looked much smaller and lighter and was on the back foot but he was looking to trade. Both were banging home left hooks to the body. Evans was also scoring with bludgeoning head punches but Rojas was walking through them and scoring with hooks to head and body. Evans decided to change tactics and stab home punches and moving but Rojas slammed home a left hook to the body and right to the head which put Evans down. He was up at three and when the action resumed Evans tried to punch his way out of trouble but a right hook followed by a left hook to the body put Evans down on his hands and knees and the referee started the count but when Evans slumped further down he waived the fight over. Rojas has 16 wins by KO/TKO and has revenged his only loss. Evans had been stopped in two rounds by Robert Marroquin in November.

Mercado vs. Santos

Mercado holds on to his WBC Fecarbox with draw against Santos. Mercado made a good start winning the first round on the strength of some clever southpaw jabbing but Santos then began to do some solid scoring of his own and a clash of heads saw Mercado suffer a bad cut over his right eye. That spurred Mercado into action and he did enough to edge the fifth and sixth. Santos took over again over the final two rounds and seemed to have done enough to take the decision but had to settle for a draw. Scores 77-75 for Mercado, 77-75 for Santos and 76-76. The Hartford-born 28-year-old Mercado looked lucky here but remains unbeaten. Santos, 26, a former Puerto Rican amateur champion was 2-4 in his last 6 fights.

Lejarraga win the vacant WBA International title with wide unanimous decision over willing Toth. Although Toth was taller with the longer reach it was the local fighter who was doing the boxing on the outside with Toth the aggressor coming forward and trying to fight at close quarters. In the second round as the Hungarian rushed forward a cross from Lejarraga shook him and he went down on one knee. The Hungarian quickly recovered and went back into the attack. Toth had a good sixth round getting through with some head punches but Lejarraga was firing shots through the middle of Toth’s guard and soon the Hungarian was hampered by swelling around both eyes. Both fighters tired over the last three rounds with the brave Toth continuing to march forward but onto precise counters from the Bilbao fighter who ran out a clear winner with two judges giving him every round and one giving him eight of the twelve. The 24-year-old Lejarraga had won 7 of his last 8 fights by KO/TKO so got a good test of his ability to go twelve rounds and is ready for better fights. Toth was having his first fight in ten months. After going 19-0-1 in his first 20 fights he was beaten on points by Vyacheslav Senchenko in November 2014.

Madrid, Spain: Feather: Ruddy Encarnacion (36-24-4) W KO 2 Vasile Sandu (0-9). Just a keep busy fight for “El Lobo Negro” as he puts away poor Romanian inside two rounds. Encarnacion getting back on track after losing to Oleg Yefimovych for the European title in December. The 37-year-old former undefeated EU champion will be looking to fight his way back into contention for another title shot.

Chanda wins the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title with decision over more experienced Speight. Zambian-born Chanda made the better start landing a big right hook in the first. He was pressing all of the time with Speight countering with some sharp uppercuts but Chanda kept sticking out a stiff jab and keeping Speight on the back foot. Chanda was outworking Speight and it was past the mid way mark before Speight was able to have some real success with his counters. Despite a cut suffered by Speight in a clash of heads a clash of heads in the eighth Speight had a good round had a good round to keep the fight alive. Chanda then worked his way to winning the final two rounds to get the deserved verdict. Referee’s score 98-94. This was quite a leap for 29-year-oldChanda who had only gone six rounds once. He is lucky to still be in boxing after being attacked a few years back with a baseball bat which left him with a fractured skull and having to learn to walk again. Speight, a former Southern Area feather champion, was 2-6 in his last 8 fights but against high quality opposition.

Noble vs. Ahmad

Noble gets win an exciting fight that sees both boxers on the floor and badly hurt. After some early sparring and a bit of holding Noble put Ahmad down with a right. Ahmad beat the count but another right floored him with the bell saving Ahmad from defeat. In the second Ahmad was warned for holding as he tried to clear his head but Noble got through with a left hook to put Noble down. It looked all over but as Noble went for the finish he was nailed by a right from Ahmad and this time after getting up it was Noble who was hanging on to the bell. The fight cooled down in the third as both did some boxing. In the fourth a right put Ahmad down and after another right floored him for the second time in the round Ahmad was counted out. Noble, 26, gets his fifth win by KO/TKO and collects the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title. Ahmad, 27, needs to regroup after this heavy loss.

Ormond wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title as he takes every round against Jimenez. The Irishman did his usual job of forcing the other man to fight his fight. He was coming forward pushing Jimenez back and bullying him around the ring. Instead of staying mid-ring and using his boxing Jimenez was allowing himself to be dragged into a brawl. Fighting behind a high guard Ormond was getting close and unleashing hooks and uppercuts with some thudding right crosses in there as well. Jimenez was too often throwing one punch at a time whereas Ormond was throwing a bunch of punches switching his attack from head to body and dominating the action. For a short space of time in the middle of the fight Jimenez did try to stay mid ring and use his jab but Ormond soon had him back to the ropes and under fire. Ormond simply applied the pressure in every round and outworked Jimenez in every round with the Puerto Rican-based Jimenez lacking the power to deflect Ormond’s attacks. Scores 100-90 twice and 100-89 all for Ormond. The 32-year-old Irish “Rock” has lost only one of his last eleven fights. That was a disqualification for butting in the tenth round of a fight against Terry Flanagan in February last year at a time when Flanagan was six points in front on all three cards. Dominican-born Jimenez is 2-5 in his last 7 fights with all losses to good quality opposition.

Doheny vs. Marin H.

Irish southpaw Doheny retains his WBA PABA title with stoppage of Marin. Formerly based in Australia Doheny was looking to impress in his first fight in the US and had the right attitude and ability but Marin did not play along. Marin was looking to hold and wrestle to shut down Doheny’s attacks. He had some success but Doheny handed out plenty of punishment and opened a bad cut over Marin’s right eye that led to the fight being stopped in the sixth round. Sixth defence of his PABA title and eleventh win by KO/TKO for Doheny. He has wins over Marco Demecillo and Thai Denkaosan and is No 6 with the WBA. Mexican Hernandez a former WBC Youth champion has three losses by KO/TKO.

Lamanna too good for modest Mena and halts him in four rounds. The tall Millville fighter was rocking Mena with rights from the first round. Mena was spitting his gumshield out to get some respite and he did it too often and was deducted a point in the third. Lamanna continued to land heavy punches in the fourth and with Mena on the ropes and Lamanna unloading the referee stopped the fight. The 24-year-old is rebuilding after being stopped in six rounds by Antoine Douglas in March last year and is now four fights into his campaign. Dominican Mena won his first 20 fights against very poor opposition back home but has now lost four in a row by KO/TKO against real opposition.

Rainone vs. Chalmers

Rainone returns to the winning column with points victory over oldie Chalmers. Rainone won, opened a cut over the left eye of Chalmers and outboxed him in seven of the eight rounds. Scores 79-73 from all three judges. Rainone is 8-2-1 in his last 11 fights with the losses being to Dusty Hernandez Henderson and Ishe Smith. Southpaw Chalmers, 39, had won 6 of his last 7 fights.

Pasciolla vs. Mayfield

Pasciolla spoils the comeback party for former IBF cruiser champion Mayfield as he wins every round with the three judges all marking the fight 60-54. Southpaw Pasciolla, 30, is now 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights and wins the vacant New Jersey State title. First fight in eight years for the 43-year-old Mayfield.

Makaradze came storming out of his corner trying to get Bejaran into a brawl but the clever, very quick and experienced Dominican was not falling for it. He kept a tight guard and banged home a whole succession of hooks and uppercuts on the charging Georgian. Gradually the punishment had its effect and Makaradze’s attacks became weaker with Bejaran taking over the fight and putting Makaradze under pressure. Bejaran was winning the rounds but Makaradze has a good chin and lasted the full ten rounds. Scores 100-90, 100-91 and 99-91 all for Bejaran. The German-based Dominican retains the German International title. Bejaran lost his WBO European title to Ante Bilic in 2012 and has now come back with seven wins. Makaradze had won 5 of his last 6 fights and is a little better than many travelling Georgian fighters.

Mezencev vs. Siska

This farce was over quickly as young Mezencev ended the fight with the first punch he threw. Southpaw Siska was bigger and heavier but was lacking even the most basic of techniques. Every time he threw his left his chin went way up in the air. Tempting target though it was after some small moments of study Mezencev threw a straight right to the body and Siska went down on his hands and knees and was counted. The 20-year-old Mezencev, a Kazak fighter based in Germany, looked very useful in a fight against unbeaten German prospect Tom Schwarz before being knocked in the seventh round and despite that loss he looks useful. I guess 36 losses by KO/TKO says everything about Siska.